Entertainers to pay right-wing activist

Tel Aviv Radio hosts reach out-of-court settlement with right-wing activist Noam Federman; agree to pay NIS 22,625 for interviewing 12-year-old daughter

Efrat Weiss|Published: 02.22.06 , 17:15

Shai Goldstein, Dror Raphael and Tel Aviv Radio have agreed to pay far right-wing activist Noam Federman NIS 22,625 (about USD 4,800) as part of a compromise agreement following a conversation the pair had on their radio show.

In June 2004, while Federman was being held in administrative detention, Shai and Dror telephoned Federman's daughter, then 12, at his home in Hebron, and proceeded to tease her, to laugh at her name and denounce her father.

At one stage the daughter ended the conversation, but Shai and Dror continued:

Shai: These were the children of Noam Federman. By the way, we called because Elisheva wanted to be alone with Noam. They haven't been allowed to be alone for a long time.

Dror: Perhaps she'll go and be alone with Yigal Amir... they'll trade partners…Marissa… there's no ethical problem talking with children?

Shai: We'll see. Let's see if we cop an indictment soon.

Federman found out about the conversation after his release from administrative detention, and filed suit in the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court against the pair for NIS 100,000 (USD 21,300) on behalf of his daughter for harassment.

But a judge pressed the sides to reach a compromise, resulting in the NIS 22,625 payment to Federman.

'There is a limit to everything'

Federman said in response that "the time has come for journalists to learn that there are limits that must not be crossed. There is a limit to everything, and those who cross the line should be forced to pay out of their own pockets."

"I would like to thank them for paying for my daughter's wedding," he added.

Tel Aviv Radio General Manager Eva Madjiboj said in response: "We have claimed all along that we caused no damage whatsoever to Noam Federman or his family. We continue to believe this."

"For practical reasons alone, and in order to spare his 14-year-old daughter from the trauma of cross-examination on the witness stand, we decided to go easy on her and to close the case with a symbolic payout," she added.

This is not the first time Shai and Dror have elicited angry reactions. In the past they managed to anger Channel Two by marking the people of the year ceremony with the nipples of former education minister Limor Livnat.